hCG Levels Guide – hCG Levels Chart During Pregnancy by Week

Pregnancy is filled with a lot of internal changes. As a woman, you’re told that your hormone levels are going crazy with hormones you didn’t even know that you had. At such high levels, you’re feeling moody, agitated and sad all at the same time.

One of the first things that your doctor will check are your hCG levels.

Before we go into immense detail about this hormone, we want you to have a clear understanding of what hCG does, and why it’s starting to show up on your blood tests now that you’re pregnant.

What Are hCG Levels?

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that is found only when pregnancy occurs. This hormone is actually produced by the placenta. When you get pregnant, the placenta is formed to nourish the egg after fertilization.

The job of the placenta is very important. It allows for:

Nutrition: The placenta transfers maternal blood with nutrients and oxygen to the fetus. This is how the baby is effectively “fed” when inside the womb.

Excretion: Waste products of the fetus are removed by the placenta. This is normally urea and uric acid.

Immunity: The mother’s immunity to certain illnesses will be transferred through the placenta to the baby between weeks 20 and 24.

All of these important functions take place from the placenta itself. The function that produces hCG is the endocrine function. This is when the placenta starts to produce hormones that are very important for the baby during pregnancy – and the mother of course.

Secretion of hCG begins early on after pregnancy because it plays a direct role in the fetus’s growth. As an organ, the placenta can be rejected by the body. This rejection would end the pregnancy. The hormone hCG suppresses this immunologic response from the body so that the placenta is allowed to remain and provide nutrition to the fetus growing inside of you.

In short, hCG is formed so that the placenta is not rejected by the mother’s body.

Note: This hormone is not found in a non-pregnant woman’s body in high amounts. hCG is the same hormone used by pregnancy tests to determine if a woman is pregnant.

Appropriate levels of hCG are less than 5 mIU/ml in non-pregnant women, and when levels are 25 mIU/ml or higher, a woman will be considered pregnant.

Normal HCG Levels

When a woman is not pregnant, she will not have hCG levels detected. Remember, this hormone is only produced by the placenta, so “normal” really doesn’t exist since hCG isn’t present in the body.

However, once pregnancy hits, this is completely different.

HCG Levels During Pregnancy

The hCG hormone levels will start being seen on blood tests 11 days after implantation. This isn’t a hard and fast rule, so it may take a woman’s body a little longer or shorter to start producing the hormone in sufficient levels for it to be detected on a blood test.

If hCG levels are being detected through urine, the hormone levels will not be high enough for detection until days 12 – 14.

During pregnancy, the levels of the hCG hormone will skyrocket before leveling off.

hCG Levels by Week

Week-by-week, the hormone levels will nearly quadruple. This occurs due to the hormone levels doubling nearly every 48 – 72 hours, or 2 – 3 days. This will not continue throughout the entirety of the pregnancy. While 85% of pregnancies will follow this frequency, some women will have much lower levels of hCG being produced, so there is no norm.

In fact, it will eventually level off, but we’ll discuss that more in depth shortly.

Doctors won’t check hCG Levels by day simply because they’ll fluctuate so much in the beginning. Normally, the levels will increase by 33% per day for the first 8 – 11 weeks of pregnancy.

Doctors are not concerned with this hormone as much because it’s used mainly for detection of pregnancy.

As the pregnancy moves along, it can take 96 hours for the level of hCG in the body to double. This occurs close to the time when the hormone will eventually begin to level off, and there are sufficient hormone levels in the body to stop the rejection of the placenta and allow for a full-term pregnancy.

hCG Levels at 4 Weeks

A great way to understand just how rapidly these levels increase is to look at weeks 4 and 5 during pregnancy. During week 4, the average hCG level is 75 mIU/ml; this is when a missed period has just occurred.

By the end of week 4, the amount of hCG in the body will be 1,940 – 4,980 mIU/ml.

All of this occurs in just 7 short days and will be when you’ve just missed your period in most cases.

hCG Levels at 5 Weeks

The start of week 5 will begin with hCG levels of 2,580 – 6.530. This is a very important week in terms of pregnancy development because a few days into the 5th week, the yolk sac will be formed. This normally occurs 3 days into the 5th week of pregnancy.

By the time week 5 comes to an end, hCG levels will be between 10,140 and 23,340. If you remember, we started week 4 with just 50 – 100 mIU/ml of hCG detected. This is a very huge jump in the amount of hCG in the body, but it won’t remain this high forever.

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hCG Levels as Pregnancy Progresses

Your doctor will have an hCG level chart, also called a beta hCG chart, available. While these charts used to be used to determine how far into a pregnancy a woman is at the current time, it is generally accepted that the variance in hCG levels prediction is highly inaccurate. This chart becomes irrelevant when ultrasounds are used and right after the determination of pregnancy.

Every chart is slightly different because every woman is different, so the figures will vary greatly.

Week 4: 50 – 4,980 mIU/ml

Week 5: 2,580 – 23,340 mIU/ml

Week 6: 11,230 – 65,380 mIU/ml

Week 7: 36,130 – 112,870 mIU/ml

Week 8: 64,600 – 116,310 mIU/ml

Many important phases occur during this time. During week 5, the yolk sac forms and the baby starts developing. Within just 4 days, the baby already has a heartbeat that occurs during week 6. The 6th week is also the time when the embryo is seen and normal development will continue from here.

Between weeks 9 and 10, the hCG levels will start to decrease.

Eventually, the amount of hCG will reach a plateau where it will stay for the duration of the pregnancy. There is no exact number seen at this time.

What Do Low hCG Levels Mean?

What happens if my hCG levels are low?

This is a question that a lot of young mothers-to-be ask their doctors. Normally, it’s advised to wait 48 – 72 hours and conduct a retest. This, as you already know, will allow the amount of the hormone to double in the body so that levels rise once again.

If, at this point, the levels are still low, it can mean one of three different things:

Miscalculation of pregnancy dating

Miscarriage

Ectopic pregnancy

If you’re relying on a pregnancy test, you will want to consult with your doctor immediately at this point. There is a chance that miscarriage occurred, which would stop the production of hCG in the body.

What Happens if My Levels Are High?

Another common question. Hormone levels are elevated for a variety of reasons. A molar pregnancy or a miscalculation may be the cause. Another possibility is that you may be pregnant with more than one baby, which would cause the amount of hCG needed by the placenta to be much higher.

hCG Levels After Miscarriage

Sadly, some pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and your body will stop producing the hCG hormone. You will not immediately see the hormone levels go back to pre-pregnancy levels. Instead, the process takes 4 to 6 weeks in most cases.

The level of hCG in the blood at the time of pregnancy loss can be used to determine how the loss occurred. The levels would be different depending on the cause of the miscarriage.

In the event of a miscarriage, doctors may want to continually check your hCG levels. This is done so that the doctor can ensure the hormone levels return to less than 5.0 mIU / ml. If the levels do not return to normal, further testing may be needed to determine why hCG levels are not returning to normal.

Medications can also cause hormone levels to deplete, but this will depend on the medication and will need to be discussed with your physician.

The body, more precisely the placenta, will start to produce the hCG hormone so that the body does not reject the placenta. This plays a vital role in pregnancy and is often the most used technique in over-the-counter pregnancy tests to determine whether pregnancy has occurred. hCG will play a major role in child birth and the levels can double in 2 to 3 days after eventually tapering off later in the pregnancy.

47 COMMENTS

I went to the er yesterday they said they didn’t know if I was having a miscarriage because the baby’s sack was still there but the day before I went to the er my man and I had light intercourse which caused the bleeding they said at first my hgc levels trippled but that was a couple days before we had sex.. so I went to the er and they said my hgc levels went down to 600 but my mom and my sister in-law and her friend bleed super heavy with all their pregnancies .. Right now I put myself on bedrest but I’ve had 2miscarrages before and I still feel pregnant I’m still craving I still have sore breast and I’m still always tired as well.. I still look pregnant. I really want this baby but what should I do what’s going on could this have been twins and I passed one and one may still be in there? Because my hgc levels with my first and second pregnancy dropped to 0 literally the same day I passed the fetus.. does anyone know what’s really going on???

Hello, I’m kinda dealing with the same thing.. I went to the er yesterday because, I had some mild cramping.. I’m pregnant. But when they did my hcg levels they were high and said I should be at least 5-7 weeks along. But.. They did an ultrasound and (the other) they said all they could see is the sac but no futus. Maybe I’m just not to far along. Because I did go to the doc for just a check up, and they did a pregnancy test, and a blood test both came back negative. That was about 3 or 4 weeks ago. I’m thinking it is too early. I haven’t had no bleeding, no bad cramps.. Nothing. I’ve have sore beasts, throwing up, sleeping a lot, ect. Do you think I’m just not as far along as they say I am ?

Hey my wife went for her first beta friday may 15 and hcg level was 22 she went back on monday may 23 and hcg level was 120. This is the only information they gave us. She go back to have another beta may 24 which is Wednesday. Please tell us whats going on. We did an iui on may 6. Please help

Please some one answer me. I am 35 years old and pregnant 6 weeks 3 days and we heard heart beats last week and baby 6.1 mm. My HCG level were 29665 last week at 5 weeks 5 days. Yesterday at 6 weeks 3 days 56550. My Dr is not happy and worried it is not enough and want me to go for another US this week .. Please let me know if you are going through the same or have an answer
Thanks in advance

I missed my dates nd its been a month i did took a beta hcg test nd it came up to be 1.2 mIu/ml i am constantly checking my urine tests nd its negative all d time so plz tell me do i need to worry whether I’m pregnant or not?

Ok so I missed my menstrual well took a pregnancy test came out positive well I went to the dr they said my hcg levels were 177 came back a few days later and got re tested well my levels are now at 152.9 could this mean I’m having a misscarriage or what could it mean I’m worried someone please help.

My wife went for blood test and 5th week of pregnancy is in progress and hcg level is 1100 only. We are really worried about this. Can someone please help us if it’s fine? The doctor keeps asking to keep coming for blood test. Please help with some information

Hi Varin. The exact same thing happened to me last week. 5th week of pregnancy and levels 1100. Repeated test two days later (annoyingly this fell on a Friday) so nervously awaiting results tomorrow after a very long weekend worrying.
How were your wifes results after her retest? I hope all is well for you guys.

So I had a miscarriage on 12-26-16 my levels were followed down to 7 I had no mp now I’m pregnant again my levels are 528 should I just go by my intercourse date? Confused and nervous as I’ve had 2 previous miscarriages and 1 eptopic pregnancy any advice?

This pregnancy is really a weird thing. I miscarried at week 8 12/15/16 with HCG levels at only 625. I did the D&C on 12/22/16. Negative pregnancy test Now on Feb 9th my HCG levels are 75. 2 test came back positive and I am dragging my feet to restest. Doctor things its left over tissue for the D&C.

Hello everyone reading all these posts are literally driving me insane. I am told I am about 5 weeks, I had a tubal ligation done in 2012 and am having my hcg checked every 48 hours due to my risk of an etopic pregnancy. I had an ultrasound done last week and there was nothing seen anywhere. I am getting really scared and lost. I had my numbers checked Thursday they were 254, Saturday was 600 and I go back today but I am so scared anyone else out there going through this?

Hi Iam 21 years my lmp was 25 April 2017 I had urine test and beta hcg test last week on 27 June 2017 my result Was 819 miu/ml and again I had beta hcg test today on 03 July 2017 today my result is 0.100 am I pregnant or not please Help Me.

my hcg was 7 on 16 june & was 24 on 24 june.I went for scan on 10 July but no sec is seen??Dr said its may be pregnancy but no sec so it is missed.I am pcod patient.My last period was on 9 may after that no period. 14 june UTR was positive & on 16 june hcg was only 7.

Can any one answer to me I am 7w 3D as per my lmp last Sunday July 16 .i went to a dr he done an us internally but he couldn’t find a fetal pole or baby he said he can only see a tiny sac so he advised me to do the hcg I did on the same day Sunday it came 7892and I did the next day it came 8013 only (120 only increased in one day ) I did today also my 3 test waiting for the result ,kindly answer me if anyone has idea about

Hi, so I found out that I am pregnant today with hcg levels of 200. They did an ultrasound and couldn’t see the baby in my uterus but found a little bit of “puss” in my right side. Now, I’ve been pregnant once before and it was an ectopic with hcg of 20. This was last year.. they are afraid that it might be again but it could be too early to tell. I am scared, has anyone gone trough this? What should I do? They told me to come back for retest in 48 hours, but what if that’s still not enough time for the baby to even develope.. what if they could be wrong…

I found out I was pregnant last week, I took 2 tests which came back positive, and then got it confirmed by a doctor. But they only did a urine pregnancy test. I started bleeding yesterday with some mild cramping, I went to the ER and they said my hcg levels were 21 and I’m supposed to be 5 weeks. I’m getting my blood retested tomorrow to see if they doubled. but has anyone experienced this and had a successful outcome?..

I went to the doc on monday and found out I was pregnant through a urine test by chance. I was on the 3 month injection all along. He send me for blood works and my levels were over 50000 he said. How far do you think I am?

Hi I need help,
I found out I was pregnant very early my hcg was 25- 2 days later 27 then 19 then 7 days later went to 54, 73 and 2 days after that 78. And I should be between 4-5 weeks
Is there still a chance it can still be ok
I had a tubal flushing about 2 months ago as I have been struggling to fall pregnant for 4 years

I went for a checkup on Friday, 1-26-2018, and they drew blood for a pregnancy test. It came out to 17 mIU/mL, according to them positive. But, they said they wanted to do another one in about a week to be sure because it wasn’t negative but it was low. So on Sunday, 1-28-2017, I started seeing blood but only when I wiped after peeing. It was very light and did get scared but read it was normal and I wasn’t really having pain. Eventually it was less but earlier today, 1-30-2018, I started bleeding more and started getting some pain. Not too bad but pain. So I just went to get the other blood test done and it came back lower: 4 mIU/mL. Wondering if I was ever pregnant or if I just lost it really early on. So sad because I was really looking forward to it. Waiting to hear back from the doctors.

Hey ive just went through the same thing 1/27/18 i took a preg test n it was light positive and so i went tue n did a blood test and they called n said it was hcg 39 n im just 2days from whn i would start my af aka period so now tomorrow fri 2/2/18 im going to do another one and see if they can start me on some progesterone cause that may cause mc also if its not high enough im hopeing i can save this baby this would be a 2 mc for me my last one was april 2017 i was 6 weeks im so hurt ive never went through this b4 n i have 2 boys 12 n 17 already im only in my 30s so i hope that something can be done im not in any pain im not bleeding or nth my boobs are still temder a lil so idk whts going on im so scared and my hubby gets heart broken anytime i talk about it cause this one we have kept to ourself until we get further along if i can make it..but if it does happen then the next time im not saying nth to him at all until im wayyy further along and i knw i wont have him hurting about this anymore i kinda wish i never said nothing to him and just let me miss my peeiod frist and see if i bleed late or whatever but all i can do is pray and see what happens and do my best and hope the meds can bring my levels up n my hormone bost up. Gud luck to all the ttc moms lets just stay positive ill happen soon.thx for reading this. Hope it helps someone out there.

Sorry forgot to put it went from 39 to 35 so im not sure whats happening i hope that i dont bleed or lose it…but if u do bleed early that means you already had a natural mc and just have to let your body get back down to normal where u can ovulate again and try again.. Sorry about whomever have had a mc its not easy to go through early or not…just dont test early ut maybe hard just wait til u miss a week of your period until u test.so itll be less of a disappointment n heartache. That u have to endure.hope this helps ill be doing the same thing. I dont like this hurt and being happy then it dnt last.

Hello everyone I am 33 years old. I had a m/c. The dnc took place on dec 9,2017 I was 8 weeks but the baby was 6weeks and 6days…I did get my period on Jan 8,2018. Then now I just found out I was pregnant on 2/14/18. I am just waiting for my hcg levels to come back right now.. I am in the er..so it is possible for you to get pregnant right after a m/c.